Raider football lose non-league game to Soap Lake

The Raiders faced, but fell to, the Eagles in Soap Lake last Friday in a non-league football game.

LR was unsuccessful in bringing home the first win of 2014 as Soap Lake defeated the Raiders, 26-12.

“We had our moments, but for the most part didn’t play as well as we are capable,” Raider Head Coach Steve Files commented.

LR had some good moments in the game. Josiah Desautel scored a touchdown on a 45-yard run. And Nathaniel Hall, back from an injury sustained last week against the Tigers, scored the other Raider touchdown on a 71-yard rush.

On defense Trey Nicholson led the team with 14 tackles on the night. Nicholson also recovered and forced two fumbles. Hunter Chapman recovered a fumble for the Raiders.

When asked who stepped up their play on the field, Coach Files said it was Matthew Tillman. Tillman is playing center, a spot that has been occupied by Senior Octavio Alejandre. With Alejandre out with a concussion, the Raiders needed someone to step up and fill the void. Tillman is beginning to do that.

Looking ahead to this week, Files said, “We need to take better care of the ball and play good sound football.” LR had four turnovers against the Eagles and many in the first game against Tonasket, so a goal this week is to eliminate them.

On Friday, the Raiders play their last non-league game, hosting the Bridgeport Mustangs at Greene Field at 7 p.m. The Mustangs are 1-2 coming into Friday’s game. Bridgeport was trounced last week by Okanogan 54-3 in their CWL North opener.